Episode 14 - A Formal Speech

(Download)We look at how to make a formal speech. You can watch the video or just listen to the audio.

DENISE: Our keynote speaker is a man who I'm sure is very well known to all of you. He's Professor of Fruitology at Dubbo University and has written many books on the subject of tropical fruit. So without further ado, I'd like to introduce our keynote speaker, Doctor Sam Eriks.

SAM: Thankyou Denise.
The Honourable Judith Bryant, Minister for Trade, Professor Eric Vogel, Professor of Economics at Wagga University, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Today's topic 'why bananas are bent' is a very significant one in terms both of international trade, and culture. In thinking about the topic, I felt it would be appropriate to address briefly the history of bananas and banana farming, the many qualities of bananas, both positive and negative, and of course examine the uses of the banana.
But first let me tell you a story about a banana.

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Ladies and gentlemen, I hope I've been able to clear up a few misconceptions, and leave you with some new ideas about how we might view bananas in the future.
We've seen, in looking at their history, that bananas have a significant role in many cultures. I've also noted their positive nutritional qualities. And in addressing the main question, why bananas are bent - we've learned that the reasons are many and complex.
Madam Chair, thankyou for the opportunity to address the conference today, and thankyou ladies and gentleman for your kind attention.

Making a formal speech to an audience is a scary thing for many people - even more so if it's in a language that is not your first language. What are the things you can do to prepare a formal speech in English? First of all, let's look at the structure of the speech. In a formal situation, like a keynote address, the speaker will be introduced by someone else. Our keynote speaker is a man who I'm sure is very well known to all of you. He's Professor of Fruitology at Dubbo University and has written many books on the subject of tropical fruit.
When introducing a speaker, research their background and accomplishments - that is, the important things they've done, such as books they may have written, important positions they've filled, and of course their proper title or qualifications, such as Professor.

Here are some useful phrases to use when introducing a speaker. Practise them with Denise:
Our next speaker is well known to all of you.

Our next speaker needs no introduction.

Without further ado, I'd like to introduce…

Please make him welcome, Doctor Sam Eriks.

When giving a formal speech to an audience, we need to be aware of protocol. Protocol means the proper or customary way of doing things in formal situations. Part of the protocol for a formal speech is addressing the audience at the beginning. A keynote speaker needs to know who the important people are at the meeting, and address them using their formal titles, starting with the most important people.

Thankyou Denise.

The Honourable Judith Bryant, Minister for Trade, Professor Eric Vogel, Professor of economics at Wagga University, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
If there is a representative of government, such as a minister, they would be acknowledged first - then any other people of particular note.

Include their title,(pause) name (pause) and position.

Then he addresses 'distinguished guests' - this can include anyone who has been invited to attend the event. And finally he says 'ladies and gentlemen', which means everyone else.

What does Doctor Eriks do next?

In thinking about the topic, I felt it would be appropriate to address briefly the history of bananas and banana farming, the many qualities of bananas, both positive and negative, and of course examine the uses of the banana.
He outlines the three main parts of his speech. Listen to him again. What are the three parts of his talk?

I felt it would be appropriate to address briefly the history of bananas and banana farming, the many qualities of bananas, both positive and negative, and of course examine the uses of the banana.

The first one is 'the history of bananas and banana farming', the second one is 'the many qualities of bananas', and the third one is 'the uses of the banana'. In listing things like this in a speech, it's important to use pauses in speech so that the audience can follow and hear the three points.

How does it sound without pauses?

I felt it would be appropriate to address briefly the history of bananas and banana farming, the many qualities of bananas, both positive and negative, and of course examine the uses of the banana.

In making a speech, it's important to use pauses to help make your point. In the list, pause before each point in the list. Pause between sentences, and before making a major point, like this:
The point I want to make is this: not all bananas are bent.

Stress and intonation are important too. In saying 'not all bananas are bent' - Doctor Eriks stresses the word 'all' because it is the most important word in that statement. In listing the three parts of his speech, notice how his intonation is rising in the first two parts, and then falling for the last - this indicates to the audience he has finished the list:

The history of bananas, the many qualities of bananas, and the uses of the banana.

In describing his topic, he said 'I felt it would be appropriate to address…' and then names the parts of his speech. To 'address' something here means to talk about it. You could also use words like 'consider', 'discuss', 'outline', 'cover'.

Pronunciation is important too - it's a good idea to practise your speech out loud - especially any difficult words.
I've also noted their positive nutrishal, nutrishishional, nutritional qualities.
What does Doctor Eriks do next in his speech?
But first let me tell you a story about a banana.
He says he is going to tell a story about a banana. When making a speech, it's good to put in some personal touches - a story of something that happened or a joke.

We move now to the end of Sam's speech. How does he finish?

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope I've been able to clear up a few misconceptions about bananas, and leave you with some new ideas about how we might view bananas in the future.

First, he signals that he is ending his speech, by repeating 'ladies and gentlemen'. Then he says 'I hope I've been able to clear up a few misconceptions'. By using the present perfect 'I have been able' he signals that he is talking about his speech up to now. Practise with Doctor Eriks some ways of signalling the end of a speech:

I hope I've been able to clarify the issue.

I hope I've addressed the major concerns about this issue.
Next he restates the major points he's made.
We've seen, in looking at their history, that bananas have a significant role in many cultures. I've also noted their positive nutritional qualities. And in addressing the main question, why bananas are bent - we've learned that the reasons are many and complex.
Notice the use of the present perfect in re-stating these points.

We've seen;
'I've noted';
'we've learned'.

There are other phrases that could be used in this way:

'We've observed'; 'I've outlined'; 'I've referred to…' and so on.

Finally, how does Doctor Eriks wrap up his speech?

Madam Chair, thankyou for the opportunity to address the conference today, and thankyou ladies and gentleman for your kind attention.
Well, there's a lot more we can say about making formal speeches, but I hope you've learned some useful tips today. Thankyou for your attention, and I'll see you next time for The Business of English.